By Laura Figueroa
Newsday
LONG ISLAND — A charity hockey game between New York City police and firefighters at the Nassau Coliseum erupted into a brawl on the ice Sunday.
In videos posted on YouTube and Instagram, players from both teams are seen clearing the bench, throwing punches and shoving one another as hockey sticks and gloves are left scattered on the ice.
The NYPD and FDNY both declined to comment on the brawl Monday.
Union officials also did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
In a YouTube video, riled-up fans are heard chanting slurs about the police.
The video recordings show the melee occurred during the second period of the match, as the teams were tied 3-3. Referees are seen struggling to break up the brawl.
The game continued after the fight and the NYPD won 8-5. It was the NYPD’s first victory after five straight wins by the firefighters.
The FDNY Hockey team’s Facebook page bills the event, which started at 1 p.m., as a match between New York’s “Finest and Bravest.”
By Sunday evening, a YouTube video had been viewed nearly 55,000 times.
Fans in stands recorded the brawl between the New York City police and firefighters, uploading the videos onto their YouTube and Instagram accounts.
Copyright 2014 Newsday